Special to the Enquirer
Falkville’s Junior Payton Carroll and Senior Andy Dove and Junior Zack Brown celebrate after a Falkville touchdown. | Special to the Enquirer

Lauren Estes

Hartselle Enquirer

The Falkville football players weren’t the only excited bunch Thursday night in Burl Vest stadium after an overtime blocked extra point brought the Blue Devil stands to their feet and a playoff victory for the books.

A 6-play drive initiated the first touchdown of the game for FHS. Ryan Sullivan found the end zone on a 9-yard keeper with 9:58 left in the first quarter. He was also true on his extra point.

A quick reply from Hatton created a new found rivalry as the Hornets put seven points on the board following a kick-off return for a touchdown. Kenneth Brown scaled 62-yards for the score. Nester Aranda added the PAT to bring the score 7-7 with 9:42 in the first quarter.

A battling Falkville defense recovered a fumble minutes later and after an eight-play drive Falkville made their presence know with a 3-yard quarterback keeper by Sullivan. He was true on his extra point sending FHS with the lead 14-7 with 2:48 remaining in the first quarter.

Hatton persevered the following three minutes and into the second quarter to finish a strong drive on the ground with a 15-yard run by Bailey Logston. Cornerback Andy Dove blocked Aranda’s extra point. The Blue Devils kept a small lead over Hatton 14-13 with 11:49 to play in the opening half.

Sullivan attempted a 37-yard field goal with 6:15 to play in the second quarter and was unsuccessful.

Hatton’s fight did not desist as a 12-play drive made was for their first lead of the ball game before halftime. Logston made his was in the end zone on a 5-yard carry. They proceeded to attempt a 2-point conversion and were successful on a pass from Zane Streater to Kenneth Brown.

Hatton lead Falkville 21-14 at the half.

Falkville roared back in the third quarter following a methodical 10-play drive. Sullivan found Zach Brown on a 27-yard pass play for a touchdown. Sullivan added another extra point and sent the score 21-21 with 4:30 to play in the third. there was under a minute to play.

Kenneth Brown intercepted Sullivan’s pass on the four-yard line on his own end zone. Brown went on to return it 96-yards for a pick six and an excited Hatton crowd rose to their feet. Aranda came through on his extra point, and there were fans on the edge of their seats on either side of the hash marks.

A fumble by FHS gave Hatton a second look to score again before the final seconds of regulation time, but were unsuccessful. Falkville was able to get the ball back and took a knee to send the game into overtime.

FHS took the ball first and after three downs were finally able to connect to Andy Dove on a fade route into the corner. Sullivan added the extra point, and Falkville took hold of the lead.

Hatton failed to move the ball successfully on the first two downs but after a second effort by quarterback Zane Streater, Hatton replied with a touchdown of their own. The moment of truth came in as a swarm of Devils combined to block the extra attempt of Hatton and seal the victory for the Blue Devils in a thrilling fashion at home 35-34. A fan in the stands went on to say, “It was like something that would happen in a movie.” The Falkville fans agree.

FHS finished with 368 total yards. Sullivan managed 15/21 with one interception and 199 yards with three touchdowns. Hatton managed 405 all-purpose yards. Streater 8/17 for 79 yards.

The next touchdown came in with 7:27 left in the game on a 49-yard pass play from Sullivan to Andy Dove. Sullivan remained true on his extra point attempts.

Falkville regained control of the football game until